Public Opinion Briefing 23-2: The Reality and Illusion of Koreans' Racial Equality Awareness

Public Opinion Briefing No. 23: "International Perception Comparison of Racial Discrimination"

Topic 1: Global Human Rights Awareness Viewed Through Racial Issues

Topic 2: The Reality and Illusion of Racial/Ethnic Equality Awareness in Korea

Topic 2. The Reality and Illusion of Racial/Ethnic Equality Awareness in Korea

Comprehensive Racial Equality Awareness is High, but Opinions Diverge When Economic Interests are Involved

Jeong Han-wool, Deputy Director, Public Opinion Analysis Center

□ 41% of Koreans believe racial discrimination should be allowed in employment, compared to the global average of 19%, the highest among 16 countries.

□ 53% of Koreans believe the government should prevent racial employment discrimination, falling short of the global average of 60%.

The proportion of Koreans who recognize the importance of eliminating racial discrimination and accept government intervention to improve it was among the highest in the surveyed countries. However, when narrowing the scope, the response indicating that racial employment discrimination, a global issue, should be permitted was the highest among the 16 countries. This result confirms the dual attitude of Koreans towards racial discrimination.

Across all 16 surveyed countries, 19% responded that employers should have the right to refuse employment based on race, while 75% responded that this should not be allowed. In Korea, however, the response supporting employers' right to discriminate in hiring based on race was 41%, more than double the overall average of 19%. Conversely, only 58% responded that racial discrimination in employment should not be allowed, significantly lower than the overall average of 75%.

While public opinion within Korea does show more opposition to racial discrimination in employment than support for it, the finding that four out of ten people believe it should be permitted is shocking. Notably, even among those who believe racial discrimination in employment should not be allowed, only about half (53%) believe the government should intervene to prevent it. This contrasts sharply with the general consensus, where 91% of Koreans agreed that the government should intervene to prevent racial discrimination.

[Figure 1] "Should be allowed" (%) for employment restrictions based on race

Note 1. Response rate for option 1: 1. Should be allowed. 2. Should not be allowed.

[Figure 2] Government Responsibility to Prevent Racial Discrimination in Employment

Note 1. Question asked only to those who responded that employment restrictions based on race should not be allowed.

Note 2. Response rate for option 1: 1. The government has a responsibility to prevent employment discrimination. 2. The government should not be involved.

□ Awareness Gaps Exist Across Strata Regarding the Elimination of Racial Employment Restrictions

․ Groups passive about eliminating racial discrimination in employment: low education, over 50s, low income below 1 million won

․ High education, 20s-30s: high public opposition to racial discrimination in employment

A clear gap in perceptions regarding the allowance of racial discrimination in employment can be observed across various groups and strata constituting Korean society.

First, by generation, younger generations strongly oppose allowing employment discrimination based on race, while the older generations, aged 40 and above, show a stronger inclination to permit it. The response "Racial discrimination in employment should be allowed" was only 32% among those in their 20s and 30s, but reached 44% among those in their 40s and 50% among those aged 50 and above. Furthermore, by educational attainment, the proportion of those with higher education (university degree or above) who believe racial discrimination should be allowed was low at 36%, whereas a majority or more among those with junior high school education or less (55%) and high school graduates (51%) supported allowing racial discrimination. By income, those in low-income brackets earning less than 1 million won per month showed a tendency to permit racial discrimination, approaching a majority, indicating a difference from other income groups [Figure 3].

[Figure 3] Attitudes toward racial discrimination in employment by social group

Ultimately, it can be understood that the groups expressing opposition to racial discrimination in employment are primarily concentrated among the low-education, low-income, and elderly working class, who are directly exposed to job competition with foreign migrant workers. This demonstrates a result where, concerning employment issues, the pragmatic thinking of protecting one's own interests is intertwined with the idealistic perception of abolishing racial discrimination when it conflicts with one's economic interests. If this gap in perceptions of racial discrimination among different strata deepens, and furthermore, if discriminatory practices based on race are rigidly maintained, it could escalate into serious domestic social and diplomatic issues in an era of globalization with active international human exchange.

Indeed, the international community has voiced concerns regarding the racial discriminatory elements within Korean society. In a report published in August 2007, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) drew attention to the insularity of the myth of a single-ethnic nation in Korea and began urging the Korean government to strive to move beyond the image of a single-ethnic state. Above all, it recommended that "Korean society recognize that it is a multi-ethnic society" and advised the Korean government to undertake various institutional and legal reforms.

Ultimately, Korea is facing external and internal environmental changes that make it impossible to continue adhering to a 'closed' perception and attitude towards other races and ethnicities.

☞ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

In commemoration of the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa on March 21, 1960, the UN, through Resolution 2142, designated March 21st annually as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this day, the UN Human Rights Council, its subsidiary bodies, and UNESCO raise public awareness and promote the importance of combating racial discrimination through various events and publications.

☞ International Women's Day

International Women's Day

This day was established in 1910 by Clara Zetkin, a leader of the German labor movement, in commemoration of the struggle by approximately 15,000 American female garment workers on March 8, 1908, for reduced working hours, increased wages, and the right to vote. It is celebrated annually worldwide to highlight and honor the achievements in women's economic, political, and social rights. Since 1977, the UN has also held official commemorative events on this day. Although it began as a political event, it has now evolved into various cultural festival formats in many countries around the world. Reference Wikipedia